Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 La Mondotte needs a little coaxing before bursting onto the scene with flamboyant scents of plum pudding, blueberry compote, blackberry pie and red roses. Further swirling reveals provocative, emerging notes of sandalwood, cracked black pepper, baker's chocolate, unsmoked cigars and crushed rocks plus a waft of black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate is an exercise in poise and sophistication, featuring the most exquisitely ripe, velvety tannins and amazing freshness, beautifully countering the intense blue and black fruit layers, finishing with epic length and loads of mineral sparks. Breathtaking! Lisa Perrotti-Brown, June 2020

Tight and linear red with blackberry, chocolate and fresh-mushroom character. It’s medium-to full-bodied with tight, chewy tannins and an attractive, chocolate and bitter-citrus aftertaste. Love the lively acidity at the finish. Minerally. June 2020

Aromas of smoky blackberries, black truffles, pipe tobacco, loamy soil and rose petals introduce the 2019 La Mondotte, a medium to full-bodied, deep and velvety wine that's lively and gourmand, with a rich core of fruit that's framed by beautifully polished tannins. This Merlot-dominant cuvée derives from vineyards on the plateau neighboring Troplong-Mondot, but the soils are shallower here, without the same reserves of deep clay.

Liquified rocks, gravel, blackberry jam, smoke, licorice and dried flowers are some of the many aromas and flavors that infuse La Mondotte with tremendous character. Brooding and potent, the 2019 possesses dazzling richness married to structure. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. It is a wine of tremendous breeding. June 2020

The 2019 La Mondotte was picked on 19 September to 7 October at 51hl/ha and matured in 70% new oak (this appears to be lowered since a decade or so ago when it regularly saw 100%.) It boasts and opulent, quite ravishing bouquet with red berry fruit, sage, cedar and hints of camphor imparting a light medicinal tincture. The palate is medium-bodied with fine and very lithe tannins that imbue this La Mondotte with a creamy texture. This is another Saint-Émilion without a hair out of place, very sensual and for want of a better word, almost nubile. The 70% new oak is an assiduous decision and allows the terroir to come through on the finish. Excellent.

Tasted blind. Very dense. Rich and perfumed nose. Rich, grainy palate. A little drying on the finish. Curranty flavours. But lively on the palate. Even if not that long. (JR)

79% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc. Certified organic FR-BIO-10. Dark garnet. Ripe and gently maturing from primary to tertiary notes but plenty of black plum at the core. A hint of leather. Ripe but a bit chewy on the palate. Not quite enough freshness for harmony and a bit of heat on the finish. (JH)